O’Keiki Toys For Tots Tournament Rules
1. O’Keiki Toys for Tots Tournament games are governed by these playing rules, and the Rules of Baseball, the Sporting News 2009 edition.
2. Home team will be decided by a coin toss thirty minutes before the scheduled start time of the game. If a manager is not present for the coin toss, the other manager will have choice of home or visiting status. The home team will occupy the third base dugout. If there is a team occupying a dugout due to previous game, just utilize the open dugout. The home team will provide the official scorekeeper for the game.
3. Game duration is shown on the table below for each playing division (Maximum game innings does not apply to championship or single elimination qualifying games):
|
Playing Division |
Game Time |
Regular Game |
Complete Game |
Maximum Game |
|
12U |
1 hr 45 min |
7 innings |
4 ½ or 5 innings |
10 innings |
|
13U |
1 hr 45 min |
7 innings |
4 ½ or 5 innings |
10 innings |
|
14U |
1 hr 45 min |
7 innings |
4 ½ or 5 innings |
10 innings |
|
16U |
2 Hours |
7 innings |
4 ½ or 5 innings |
10 innings |
|
18U |
2 Hours |
7 innings |
4 ½ or 5 innings |
10 innings |
The official start time for games is the scheduled start time according to the umpire’s watch, even if play actually begins later, unless changed by the umpire or a tournament official before the actual start of the game. Starting times will be recorded in the official score book and on the umpire’s score card.
Any suspended games will be resumed from the point at which they were stopped. When these games resume, eligible players will be those on the original line-up sheet for that game only. Rules regarding substitution of players will be applied as if the game had not stopped. Any player who pitched in the suspended game but was not the Pitcher of Record when the game was suspended is ineligible to pitch in the resumed game. The Pitcher of Record may pitch in the resumed game in compliance with these tournament rules regarding innings pitched (see rule 8).
If tournament play is suspended due to circumstances outside the control of the teams or O’Keiki Baseball Club, and cannot be resumed or completed during the scheduled weekend. Unfinished tournament play will be resumed on the earliest weekend possible, and no later than December 30, at a site selected by O’Keiki Baseball Club.
- Teams must have proof of age for every player, and must present such proof if challenged by another team or by a tournament official. Age cut off date is May 1, 2010. Failure to provide proof of age when required to do so, or attempts to use age-ineligible players, may result in forfeiture of all games in which those players participated. The 18U division will allow 2009 HS Graduates to participate and any player in high school.
5. A team failing to field nine uniformed players within fifteen minutes after scheduled starting time of a game, or at any time during the game, shall forfeit the game. A uniform includes a cap.
6. The tournament ranking system is based on points earned through play. There will be pool play in the playing divisions, leading to seeding for championship games. The highest ranked team in a pool is the team with the highest overall points at the conclusion of pool play. A team will receive two points for each win, one point for each tie game, and no points for a game lost.
If teams are tied in rank based on the number of points they have accumulated, the tie will be broken based on (1) their direct (head to head) record, (2) least runs allowed, and finally (3) most runs scored. If teams are still tied, the tie will be broken by a coin flip. NOTE: Pool size and structure may be different in each playing division – read your schedule to see the pool structure in your division!
- Awards to be given out:
- 12U Division – 15 individual 1st and 2nd place awards
- 13U Division – 15 individual 1st and 2nd place awards
- 14U Division – 15 individual 1st and 2nd place awards
- 16U Division – 18 individual 1st and 2nd place awards
- 18U Division – 20 individual 1st and 2nd place awards
7. Mercy Rule:
In Effect for all games being played.
- 15 run rule after 3 innings
- 10 run rule after 4 innings
- 8 run rule after 5 innings.
8. Pitching will be governed by this rule:
- No pitcher may pitch more than four innings per game in 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U and 18U divisions; and NO more than 7 innings in a day.
b. Innings pitched in a single game must be consecutive. A single pitch to a
batter constitutes an inning pitched. There will be no exceptions to this
rule, not even in the championship games.
c. A pitcher removed from pitching in a game, may NOT re-enter as a pitcher.
9. Batting Order:
Teams may choose to bat as many players present, if a DH is used it is for the Pitcher ONLY, all other batters are considered EH. The choice must be made before the game starts, and cannot be changed during the game. Free defensive substitutions for players in the batting order, including the DH (if any).
Once the pitcher is removed and the DH does not enter the game, then the next pitcher will not hit. Once the DH enters the game, then the pitcher must hit. If a positional player becomes the pitcher, then the DH is lost and the DH will either assume a defensive position or a substitute will enter the game for the DH.
Starting player may re-enter the game once, in the same batting order position. If a player is injured, he will be replaced with a substitute player who has not yet played in the game, and he will not re-enter the game. If no such substitute is available, the opposing manager will pick a player to enter the game for the injured player.
For teams batting the entire roster, if a player is injured or cannot bat his turn, his batting position, will be given a one time penalty (considered an out) the first time and will be bypassed without penalty thereafter and the next batter in the order will bat. An injured or removed (tossed from game) or a player that leaves the game will not re-enter the game under any circumstances.
For ejected player or a player (not substituted) that has to leave game:
The ejected player or player (not substituted) that has to leave the game (not due to injury), his batting spot will be an out every time that player’s spot comes up in the batting order.
Speed-up Rules:
a. Courtesy runners allowed: For the pitcher or catcher at any time.
Courtesy Runner cannot be the same runner for both pitcher and catcher. Last out or someone not in the game.
b. Automatic intentional walk will be utilized.
10. Any batter/runner attempting to make contact with a base when a defender either has the ball or is in the immediate act of catching the ball must attempt to avoid contact, usually by sliding, or be called out. Umpires should give some tolerance to runners when they leave the base path in order to avoid contact. A player will be ejected from a game for any flagrant violation of this rule. Slide to avoid contact rule.
11. Any ejection of a player, manager or coach will be reviewed by the tournament officials. Depending upon the seriousness of the offense, the penalty may be suspension from the single game, from the next game, or from the entire tournament.
- Failure to leave park: Upon an ejection, if any manager, coach or fan refuses to leave the park in a timely manner determined by the tournament director the game shall be deemed a forfeit.
12. Protests or disputes in games will be settled before play continues, usually by the chief umpire or the appropriate tournament official. Their decision will be final.
13. No manager, coach, player, or spectator shall:
- Verbally abuse or attack any player, official, agent of the tournament or spectator;
- Use profane, obscene or vulgar language or gestures in any manner at any time;
- Demonstrate dissent by throwing gloves, bats, equipment, or helmets, or by any other such forceful action;
- Appear on the field of play or at the park, at any time, in an intoxicated condition or under the influence of any illegal substance;
- Refuse to abide by an officials decision, or protest an official’s judgment decision;
- Use tobacco products while entering or exiting the field of play, or while on the field of play;
- Deliberately violate any playing rule or safety rule of this tournament, or behave in an unsportsmanlike manner.
Violators are subject to immediate ejection (see rule 11).
14. Managers, coaches, players, members, spectators or other guests are not permitted to jeer or heckle members of an opposing team. Violators may be warned once by an official or agent of the tournament, and for a subsequent violation will be ejected from the park. (see Rule 11 above on ejection).
15. Managers, coaches, players, spectators, and all other tournament participants are equally responsible for the condition of the facility, and are expected to respect the facility and the fields with appropriate attention to their safety, cleanliness and beauty.
DO NOT LEAVE TRASH AROUND ANYWHERE – CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF, LIKE WE WOULD DO AT YOUR PARK!
16. There will not be time for team warm ups on the field — team warm ups must take place off the field, before the scheduled start time of their game.- No Infield Warm ups
17. All teams must carry a copy of their proof of liability insurance or waiver at all times.
18. All teams must deliver a player roster to the tournament officials before participating in their first game. Teams will not be allowed to add players to their roster after their first game. The roster must include name and birth date of each player on the team. If no official roster is turned in by the first game, the team’s batting line-up for the first game will be considered the team’s official roster for the remainder of the tournament.
19. Players in all divisions must use only wooden bats – metal bats of any type are not allowed.
20. Games in the 12U division will be played at 48/70. Games in the 13U division will be played at 54/80. Games in the 14U, 16U and 18U divisions will be played at 60/90.
21. Rules not specifically called out in this tournament package will be determined or interpreted by the tournament officials.
22. A rostered player cannot play for more than 1 team.
23. 12U and 13U players may wear metal cleats.
24. Quarter Final games will NOT have 2 teams from the same pool playing against each other regardless of placement standings. This will NOT hold true during semi-finals or finals.
25. Quarter Finals: 2 hours no new inning unless tied. Finish out an inning –Must have a winner. Semi-finals and finals: NO time limit, Mercy or 7 innings.
26. Ranking for Wild cards, will be done per tie breaker rules, then the lowest ranking wild card, unless coming from same pool will play the highest ranked pool team(per tie breaker rule).
The Toys for Tots Tournament is more than a competitive event for tournament teams, and it is more than an exhibition of the best that youth baseball has to offer in the area. It is a way that players can contribute to the community, by making Christmas a little merrier for the underprivileged children. That is why the Toys are important to be received by each rostered player.
Thank you! For your participation. O’Keiki Baseball
